The Capparaceae (or Capparidaceae), family commonly known as the caper family is closely related the Mustard Family (Brassicaceae) with similar characteristics.

The genus Cleome and several related genera are more closely related to the Brassicaceae family than to the other Capparaceae and are now placed in the Cleomaceae family.
These changes will be reflected in Southwest Desert Flora at a later date.

In North America, according to the USDA Plants Database, there are 14 genera with 59 accepted taxa overall in the Capparaceae family.

Worldwide The Plant List identifies 34 genera and 449 accepted species names for the Capparaceae family.